SteelSeries 6Gv2 review

The SteelSeries 6Gv2 is a USB keyboard for Windows gaming.

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Expert's Rating

OVERALL

Price when reviewed

£90 inc VAT

The SteelSeries 6Gv2 is billed as a gaming keyboard from a gaming accessories company, and that origin shows through in a few design decisions that, depending on what we were doing, we found either useful or really annoying.

As far as the keyboard's feel goes, no complaints here – this is a standard Cherry MX Black keyboard. We did notice that we would occasionally type with the edges of the keys rather than the face, but not quite to the same extent as on the Adesso MKB-135B.

The main difference from the other keyboards was in the layout. Specifically, the lack of a left-side Windows key. That's to prevent you from accidentally hitting that key while you're playing a Windows game in which you can't disable it.

The feature certainly comes in handy while we're playing games, but we're one of the rare folks that actually uses the left-hand Windows key for its associated keyboard shortcuts. After using this keyboard for the better part of a week, we still hadn't gotten used to pressing the Windows key with our right hand.

Instead of a left-hand Windows key, the SteelSeries 6Gv2 has a SteelSeries-logo key that acts as a modifier for the left-hand function keys. Those keys double as basic media controls (Volume Up/Down/Mute, Pause/Play, and Skip Forward/Back), and can come in handy if you're managing your playlist midgame.

Unfortunately, the SteelSeries 6Gv2 doesn't have most of the extras found in the other mechanical keyboards we reviewed. It doesn't have extra USB ports or an audio passthrough jack. In fact, it doesn't even have feet that prop up the back of the keyboard, though when it's lying flat on your desktop, it does sit at a little bit of an angle compared with the other keyboards.

OUR VERDICT

All in all, the SteelSeries 6Gv2 is a decent model at a decent price, but unless you hate your Windows key with a passion you might want to look elsewhere.